In Japan, a shrine (jinja, 神社) is a place of worship in Shinto, the indigenous religion that honours kami (神) — sacred spirits tied to nature, ancestors, heroes, and remarkable places. Unlike a church or temple built mainly for sermons, a shrine is a living threshold between everyday life and the sacred: a grove, a gate, a hall, and open ground where people pause, bow, and leave offerings.
Shrines appear throughout daily life in Japan. Neighbours visit a local ujigami shrine for protection; students pray for exams at a Tenjin shrine; merchants favour Inari shrines; families buy omamori charms and draw omikuji fortune slips; and at New Year millions attend hatsumōde (初詣), the first shrine visit of the year. Festivals (matsuri), weddings, and seasonal rituals still centre on shrine communities, even when faith is quiet or personal.
Many shrine grounds also overlap with the world of folklore on this site. Fox messengers at Inari shrines connect to kitsune legends; thunder kami echo Raijin; boundary stones and sacred trees often appear in yōkai tales. Understanding shrines helps place those creatures in their real cultural setting — not only as story monsters, but as beings once approached with respect at the altar.
Search by name, prefecture, city, or shrine type below. Each listing notes enshrined kami, location, and a short description where available. Open a shrine page for maps, visitor notes, and links to official sites when we have them.
30,440 shrines found
Ishikawa
ŌjinLocated in the scenic town of Kanazawa, Ifriya Shrine is dedicated to Ōjin, a legendary emperor who...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
KoshinjiLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Okusen Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Kings Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Ryugu-no-Okami, Katsurahime-no-KamiLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Westinomyo Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most revered shrine...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuRespectively situated on the banks of the Wakasa Bay, the Shrine of Resurrection (Joya no Kami) is a...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kasuga-no-makotoKasumigaseki Shrine, located in the Japanese Alps of Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Oyasumi InariLocated in the city of Kanazawa, the Taisai-dono Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods of...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kusanagi-no-okamiLocated in the picturesque city of Kanazawa, Hokuriku Water Heaven Temple is a sacred Shinto site de...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu....
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Katsuyama in Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedic...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Katsurahara no OkamiKatsurahara no Okami Spring Shrine, located in the town of Katsurao, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shint...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susumu-no-kamiLocated in the picturesque town of Hakusan, Wild Bamboo Temple Shrine (Ishikawa Prefecture) is dedic...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Futsu no OeLocated in the town of Wakasado, Fukuoka Prefecture, Futsu-de-jinja is one of Japan's oldest shrines...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susanoo and AmaterasuThe city of Katsuyama in Ishikawa Prefecture is home to the Shinden-style City no Seki Shrine, dedic...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Ōno-machiLocated in the foothills of the Japanese Alps, small village of Hakusan, in Ishikawa Prefecture, lie...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Located in the city of Kanazawa, Hōryū-ji Temple is one of Japan's most famous and ancient Buddhist...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Tsunetsugu-Ō no Okami多太神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Dedicated to Tsune...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanKazue Hachiman Shrine, also known as White Mountain Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Ishikawa P...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hachiman ŌkamiTsushima Shrine, located in the city of Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the god Hach...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
RyujinLocated in Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Great Dragons Palace Hall is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Okami車折神社, located in Ishikawa prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the road and t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hachiman車折神社 掠與所 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The name '...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
ŌkameNijō-miyajinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Katsuyama region of Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanEight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto temple in Echizen Province, dedicated to the god of war and good...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
Ancient joinery techniques of Japanese master craftsmen
Directory of Japanese board games and traditional games
Japanese coffee culture — kissaten, third wave and brewing guides
Explore Japan's landmarks, shrines and hidden locations
SNES and Super Famicom collection tracker
Hoshi no Isan — a Japanese-aesthetic space RPG in development
Pixel art life sim MMO — start at zero, build your life
AI-powered educational stories for kids
Japanese-aesthetic design tokens & AI-ready UI prompts
Every day, one teaching. One moment of stillness.
Kanji, meaning, and a quiet reflection — rooted in the philosophy
behind Japan's forests, seasons, and sacred silences.
Content Warning: This website explores Japanese folklore and mythological beings—including yokai, oni, and other supernatural entities—that may be frightening to younger audiences or sensitive viewers. All material is presented for educational and cultural appreciation only. Viewer discretion is advised.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to preview content before sharing it with children. By continuing to use JapaneseMythicalCreatures.com, you acknowledge and accept this advisory.
Copyright © 2026 Japanese Mythical Creatures • All Rights Reserved.